United Nations human rights experts have called on the Spanish government to restore the electricity that has been cut off since October 2, to a temporary community in which 8,000 immigrants and Roma (Roma) live near the Spanish capital Madrid, which has called on human rights experts to urge the authorities to reconnect the camp with electricity Immediately.
According to the United Nations report, the blackout affected at least 4,500 people in the Kanyada Real Galiana – an informal shelter – which is home to migrants and people from the Roma minority..
In a statement, human rights experts warned that the health of about 1,800 children is at risk, and some of them are already suffering due to power cuts. “Madrid is known for its cold, and now that the temperatures have dropped, at least one child has already been hospitalized with hypothermia symptoms,” they said.“.
Experts pointed out that without electricity, there is no heating in homes, and no hot water, meaning that children cannot shower or clean themselves well. “And during the COVID-19 pandemic, when hygiene is more important than anything else, it is especially worrisome“.
Experts explained that the health of many children has already been affected, such as those who use electric wheelchairs, which cannot be charged with batteries now; Children suffering from diabetes find it difficult to keep insulin at proper temperatures. As for children living with autism, they have trouble coping with power cuts. A girl is also prevented from using the oxygen therapy equipment she normally uses for 15 or 16 hours a day.
Experts said: “The lack of electricity not only violates the right of these children to adequate housing, but also has a very serious impact on their rights to health, food, water, sanitation and education.“.
Experts criticized the authorities who blamed the power outages on the illegal marijuana (hemp) plantations, and indicated that the informal camp residents are criminals..
“We call on all politicians to stop stigmatizing immigrants, members of the Roma minority and anyone living in poverty,” the experts said, noting that the residents of Kanyada Real are in dire need of government support to achieve adequate living conditions, not verbal abuse against them that provokes public hostility..
It is noteworthy that the experts are in contact with the Government of Spain to discuss these issues at the Caniada Real site, which is 16 kilometers long and 75 kilometers wide, and was established more than 40 years ago..
The experts are: Balakrishnan Rajagopal, Special Rapporteur on adequate housing; Gerard Cowen, Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities; Combo Poly Barry, Special Rapporteur on the right to education Hilal Al-Far, Special Rapporteur on the right to food; Tlalung Mofokeng, Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; Philip Gonzalez Morales, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants; Fernand de Varenne, Special Rapporteur on Minority Affairs; Olivier de Chater, Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights; Pedro Araujo-Agudeau, Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation.
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